Blurry View finder

[MarkS]

I have a problem with a blurry viewfinder. I don't think the problem is on the outside viewfinder glass...nor the lens as the camera still takes crystal clear photos. How do I clean it?

As a side note, which may or may not be related, I was recently in Colombia, and while outside the entire camera fogged up (seemingly on the inside), and I couldn't take photos until I brought it inside and eventually it was back to normal. I don't think there was ever any damage or serious shock to the camera/lens, but it is possible. Since then however I haven't had this problem again.

I am using a Canon EOS 500D, and a 15-85 EF-S lens. Will removing the lens and letting it "air out" be good enough? I am scared to touch anything inside the camera from fear of ruining something.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Mark

[GrahamS]

Mark, sounds like you moved your camera from an air conditioned, low temperature environment to the hot, humid outdoor environment without allowing it to "acclimatise!" The result was that condensation formed on the internal surfaces of the camera, including by your post, the focussing screen and maybe even the "penta-mirror" surfaces. The 500D does not have a solid pentaprism, but an assembly of mirrors which reduces the mass of the camera. If this happened, and you have not removed the lens since, it is possible that the condensation is still present. I suggest that you remove the lens, fit the body cap over the lens opening, and place the camera body in a container of dry rice overnight. The rice should draw any remaining condensation out of the camera, but if the condensation droplets leave a residue on the mirror or focussing screen surfaces such that the viewfinder image is still affected, you will have to have the camera cleaned professionally. Don't allow any rice kernels to enter the camera.

Whenever a camera is kept in an air conditioned room it should be stored in an air-tight container. The container should then be allowed to acclimatise to the outdoor conditions and temperature before opening and removing the camera. I use zip-lok bags for this. I seal all of my lenses and the camera body in a zip-lok bag before entering the hotel and allow them to reach ambient temperature when I go out the next day, before opening them. It only takes a half hour or so.

Having said all that, I presume that you have checked the viewfinder eyepiece dioptre adjustment?

[Degsy]

Have you tried adjusting the diopter wheel. It is a small wheel next to the view finder. If it has been inadvertently adjusted it will make the viewfinder out of focus for your eyes.

[MarkS]

Thanks Graham and Derek for the suggestions. I did try to clean the viewfinder itself, but I have to admit I did forget about the diopter wheel, I will check that, and if still a problem then proceed as you suggested. Thanks again.

[Snaphappy]

Degsy thank you spent the last two days in Lisbon Portugal thinking I was going blind, but reading your thread about the diopter wheel caused a miracle and my sight has returned thank you.

[MarkS]

Problem solved. Thanks again for the suggestions. It seems it was a bit of both, humidity and the diopter wheel was out of whack as well.